NAPPRA: FAQ's

Q. When does NAPPRA go into effect? A.The final rule published on May 27th , 2011 and the establishment of the NAPPRA category was effective June 27th, 2011.
Q. What are the differences between prohibited, restricted and NAPPRA plants?
A. Previously, prohibited and restricted were the two import categories for plants for planting in our regulations, 7 CFR 319.37. All plants for planting not listed as prohibited in 319.37 were considered restricted articles. NAPPRA (not authorized pending pest risk analysis) is a third import category which lists taxa of plants for planting for which scientific evidence indicates that the taxa are quarantine pests or hosts of quarantine pests.

Q. What is a pest risk analysis (PRA)?A. A PRA is a scientific study that evaluates the likelihood of the entry, establishment, or spread of a pest or disease, and its potential consequences. PRAs serve as a basis for identifying potential pathways for the spread of harmful agricultural pests and diseases.

Q.Where is the NAPPRA list?A. The NAPPRA list will be located on the APHIS-PPQ Plants for Planting website. We will announce the posting of the first NAPPRA list and subsequent postings through the APHIS-PPQ Stakeholders Registry. If you wish to be notified as new information becomes available regarding NAPPRA, please register for the Stakeholders Registry and select “Plants for Planting” under “Importations into the United States”.

Q.What is on the NAPPRA lists?A. The NAPPRA category consists of two lists: a list of taxa that we consider, on the basis of scientific evidence, to be quarantine pests; and a list of taxa that we consider, on the basis of scientific evidence, to be hosts of quarantine pests. For taxa that have been determined to be quarantine pests, the list will include the names of the taxa. For the list of taxa that have been determined to be hosts of quarantine pests, the list would include: the names of the taxa; the foreign places from which the taxa's importation is not authorized; and the quarantine pests of concern.
Q. How will I know if a plant is being placed on the NAPPRA list? A. APHIS will publish in the Federal Register a notice announcing our determination that a taxon of plants for planting is either a quarantine pest or a host of a quarantine pest. This notice would make available a data sheet that would detail the scientific evidence that we evaluated in making our determination, including references for that scientific evidence. In the notice we would provide for a public comment period on our proposed addition to the list.

Q.How will I know when a plant is removed from the NAPPRA list?A. Any changes to the NAPPRA category would be published in the Federal Register with the opportunity for the public to comment.

Q.Do I need a special NAPPRA permit?A. No. The permits required for importation of plants for planting will not change. Please refer to the current information on the Plant Health Permits home page to apply for a plant import permit.